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Dr Gillian Armstrong, specialist registrar with the Public Health Agency, said: “Although 2015 saw a small decrease in annual numbers of new STI diagnoses made in Northern Ireland Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics, this masks an increase in diagnoses of gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis.

“Between 2010 and 2015, diagnoses of gonorrhoea have tripled.

“This has largely been driven by an increase in diagnoses in men who have sex with men (MSM) and in women. In 2015 there was a further increase, albeit to a much smaller degree (3%). Although the rise in diagnoses coincides with the introduction of more sensitive testing, the continued increase is also likely to represent increased transmission.”

A report showed that the highest diagnostic rates of the common STIs occur in 16-24 year old females and 20-34 year old males.

“People with STIs don’t always have symptoms, so anyone having unprotected sex could be putting their health at risk. We are also encouraging people to always use a condom, and to get tested if they have put themselves at risk. There are GUM clinics across Northern Ireland.

“Staff are non-judgmental and welcome everyone who takes responsibility for their sexual health by getting checked out.”